Autonomo Spain
Autonomo Spain shares five years of experience with tax guides, tools, services, and clear explanations for freelancers in Spain.
Hi, I’m Adrienne. I’ve been autónoma in Spain for many years, and in this website I’ve put together some of what I’ve learned — and what I wish I’d known or had easy access to when I was starting out. More about me.
Over the years, I’ve worked with all sorts of clients in Spain, Europe and across the world and taken on all kinds of projects during my rather adventurous journey as an autónomo in Spain. Alongside the actual work, I’ve had to learn the ins and outs of the bureaucracy, work with tax deadlines, tracking revenue and expenses, even redoing an invoice or two because I got the format or VAT wrong.
It’s been a massive learning curve, but now I feel like I know what I’m doing, and I thought some of what I’ve picked up might be helpful to you too. So I decided to write it all down.
Articles
What is autonomo / autónomo?
Autonomo is the category of employment for a freelancer or self-employed person in Spain.
What is cuota?
Cuota is one of the terms you’ll here all the time. It is basically the Spanish word for “social security payment” but here’s some more info…
Do I need a gestor?
Gestors offer accountant-adjacent services such as setting up your autonomo business, quarterly and yearly taxes.
Banks that collaborate with AEAT and Social Security
Banks that collaborate with AEAT and Seguridad Social are a essential to understand for your autonomo fees and tax payments will be processed.
What are the invoice requirements for autonomos?
There are strict invoice requirements that are set by the tax department. This is advice on how to format an invoice.
Is there a Catalan government tax department?
The Agència Tributària de Catalunya (ATC) is the Catalan Tax Agency
What is SEPE?
The Servicio Público de Empleo Estatal (SEPE) is Spain’s national employment service.
Can autonomos apply for paro (unemployment)?
There are a number of special circumstances that qualify an autónomo for paro.